Scientific Revolution (Cultural/Intellectual)
 |
| Chart: Aristotelian model of the universe |
In the fourteenth and fifteenth century, philosophy was learned in universities along with medicine and law. Physics and mathematics became more popular afterward. Translations of old Arabic texts also helped spur the scientific revolution, as well as patrons who funded experiments and case studies. As the king of Portugal in 1484 met some navigational problems, he asked mathematicians to help seamen find latitudes.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is."
"A prudent question is one-half of wisdom."
"Knowledge is power."
Jean-Jacques Rosseau:
"Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil. "
"Although modesty is natural to man, it is not natural to children. Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil. "
 |
| Nicolaus Copernicus |
Copernicus' hypothesis
Copernicus labored on his hypothesis in Eastern Prussia for many years, which stated that the sun, not the earth, rested at the center of the universe. He didn’t overthrow Aristotle’s preexisting theory of crystal spheres which moved in perfect circular motion or that the perfection of the universe was reflected upon its creator.
"On the Revolutions" and "On the Structure of the Human Body"
Former was written by Copernicus, latter was written by Vesalius. Andreas Vesalius, through dissections, was able to accurately observe human anatomy.
"On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres" by Copernicus published
Fearing opposition, Copernicus waited until his death to display his theory to the masses.
 |
| Tycho Brahe |
New Star
Brahe studied the movements of the “new star”, an exploding one, which appeared and shone very brightly for about two years. The discovery of this star challenged the notion that the heavenly spheres were perfect.
"The New Astronomy" by Kepler
Discussed new cosmo theory.
Catholic church's official declaration that the Copernican hypothesis is false
 |
| Johannes Kepler |
Kepler's third law
The distance a body is away from the sun is the time that it takes to make a complete orbit.
Completion of Rudolfine Tables
Kepler finished what Brahe started, and these tables were useful to astronomers for many decades to come
Discovery of circulation of blood
William Harvey discovered that the heart worked much like a pump.
"Dialogue on the Two Chief Systems of the World" by Galileo
As a result of this publication which openly challenged the views of Ptolemy and Aristotle, the Papal Inquisition tried Galileo for his heretic views.
Kepler, Galileo, and Brahe's views accepted
They were officially accepted by the scientific community, while the Aristotelian ones were thrown out. However, at this point, there was still no explanation as to what controlled the movement of objects/planets.
 |
| Robert Boyle |
Boyle's Law
Robert Boyle, following Paracelusus’ footsteps, discovered that pressure varies inversely with the volume of gases.
Newton works on "Principia Mathematica"
Utilizing math laws, Newton published his three laws of motion. He coherently synthesized views of Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo into a single model.
"Essay Concerning Human Understanding"
Written by John Locke, this was the considered the first key text of the Enlightenment period. Instead of basing ideas off of deductive or empirical logic, Locke considered all humans to be born as blank slates, or “tabula rasas.” The surrounding environment eventually shapes and delegates the individual’s views and beliefs.
"Historical and Critical Dictionary"
Pierre Bayle, a French Huguenot, formulated the view of “skepticism”. By this, he showed that nothing could ever be known for sure, or “beyond all doubt.”
 |
| Carl Linne |
"The System of Nature" by Linne
Carl Linne, a Swede botanist, believed the God organized plants into hierarchies. Scientists who followed his views eventually began to take on similar views about humans, and the investigation of the human race and its origin began.
Salons
A wealthy class of women from Paris began social gatherings in drawing rooms (salons) and discussed many uncensored topics. Salon meetings encouraged people to think critically, and interchange intelligent ideas with others.
"The Spirit of Laws" by Montesquieu
baron de Montesquieu advocated for a separation of powers within the government and “parlements” as defenders of liberty against despotism. His views greatly impacted future decades of thought, along with the US and French constitution.
Encyclopedia by Diderot & d'Alembert
The two men wrote this mammoth book with a purpose to change the general “way of thinking”.
"The Social Contract" by Rosseau
This publication reflected Swiss Jean-Jacques Rosseau’s views of popular sovereignty and human will. He rejected rationalism as a destructive force. His works influenced the future thoughts of democrats and nationalists.
Philosophes
The French educated elite was known as “philosophes”. France was the hub of Enlightenment development, as French was the international language at the time, it held the biggest population, and the French elite was able to expand ideas to a larger pool of the well-educated.
0 comments: